New Delhi: As common people and VIPs alike gathered at the Rajaji Hall to pay their last respects to J Jayalalithaa, an image stood out — not for its poignancy, but for the clues it may hold about the looming power struggle in the state.
The relationship between the two had kicked up many a storm during Jayalalithaa's three decades of political career with some blaming her proximity to Sasikala for the AIADMK's electoral defeats on some occasions.
Incidentally, Jayalalithaa had twice fallen out with Sasikala a few years ago for alleged anti-party activities.
She and some of her family members had been expelled from the party and asked to vacate Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence. However, the separation between the two was short-lived as they patched up in no time.
Hailing from a humble background, 'Chinnamma' as Sasikala was known in her circles gradually gained acceptance in the Veda Nilayam residence in Poes Garden, Jayalalithaa’s official home.
She lost the election the year after and corruption charges were filed against her as questions were asked about the financing of the marriage, in which crores of rupees were spent. Sudakaran was disowned by Jayalalithaa soon after. The “soul sisters” too had a falling out soon after and patched up later.
But in 2011 the relationship took a curious twist. Tehelka reported that Jayalalithaa, acting on a tip off from Narendra Modi, expelled Sasikala and her clan from her home and banished them into political exile.
Jayalalithaa also sent some of the ‘Mannargudi Mafia’ to prison between 2011 and 2016.
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